Casualty and liability
Collision coverage
Collision coverage pays for damage to the insured’s own vehicle from impact with another vehicle or object, or from upset of the vehicle.
Reviewed September 2026 · Exam outline effective September 1, 2026
In plain English
Collision is first-party physical damage coverage keyed to impact. Striking another car, hitting a guardrail, or rolling the vehicle all fall within the concept, and it responds regardless of who was at fault.
Because it is first-party, it sits apart from liability coverage. Liability responds to what the insured did to others; collision responds to the insured’s own vehicle.
Why the exam tests it
Auto physical damage questions test whether candidates can route a specific cause of loss to collision or to comprehensive coverage.
The trap
Sending impact-with-an-animal or falling-object losses to collision. Those are typically comprehensive perils, and the distinction is a routine exam device.
Worked example
The insured strikes a concrete barrier in heavy rain. That is an impact loss to the insured’s own vehicle, so collision coverage responds subject to its deductible.
Full course
Study this with the complete Texas All-Lines course
This concept is covered in depth in the "Personal, Commercial Auto & Uninsured Motorists" lesson, alongside every other topic on the content outline.
Related terms
- Comprehensive coverageComprehensive coverage, often called other than collision, pays for damage to the insured’s own vehicle from causes such as theft, fire, hail, glass breakage, vandalism, and contact with an animal.
- DeductibleA deductible is the amount of a covered loss the insured absorbs before the insurer pays, which keeps small claims out of the system and holds premium down.
- First-party claimA first-party claim is a claim made by the insured under their own policy for their own loss, such as damage to their home, business property, or vehicle.
Exam topics using this term
Sources
- Pearson VUE — Texas Department of Insurance licensing exams
Scheduling, candidate handbook, content outlines, test-center rules, and application timing. Reviewed 2026-07-21.
Requirements, fees, forms, exam details, and deadlines can change. Verify the current rule with the linked authority before scheduling, applying, renewing, or handling a real claim.
For exams on or after September 1, 2026. If your exam is scheduled earlier, use the outline that applies to your exam date. Texas Exam Academy is independent exam preparation and is not affiliated with or approved by the Texas Department of Insurance or Pearson VUE. Verify current eligibility, fees, forms, and requirements with the responsible authority.